Published Sep 05, 2026 | 12:33 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 05, 2026 | 1:30 PM
Ex-DMK minister KN Nehru. (Umar Sharieef)
The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) is conducting simultaneous searches at 19 locations across Tamil Nadu linked to former Municipal Administration and Water Supply Minister KN Nehru and his brother KN Ravichandran.
The searches began early Saturday morning and are being carried out at more than 10 locations in Chennai, including premises in Alwarpet, RA Puram, Adyar, Thiruvanmiyur and Anna Nagar, as well as locations in Tiruchirappalli and other parts of the state.
Among the premises being searched are KN Nehru’s residence in Alwarpet, his brother Ravichandran’s residence in RA Puram and an office associated with Ravichandran.
The searches are reportedly linked to allegations of irregularities and corruption in the award of government contracts under the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, including allegations concerning the collection of money in the name of party funds.
The action follows allegations earlier raised by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) concerning tender-related irregularities and alleged financial transactions involving Nehru, his brother and persons associated with them.
In a letter sent to the Tamil Nadu DGP and other senior officials last December, the ED had reportedly alleged irregularities in contracts relating to housing for sanitation workers, road works, NABARD projects and engaging sanitation workers on a contract basis.
The ED had alleged that bribes were collected in connection with the awarding of contracts, with the alleged payments ranging from 7.5% to 10% of the contract value. It had estimated the alleged bribe and party-fund transactions at around ₹1,020 crore, and said supporting documents had been submitted.
The ED’s letter had subsequently surfaced on social media, triggering controversy. The agency also approached the court over the disclosure of the letter, while an investigation by the CB-CID into the leak remains pending.
The latest DVAC searches are part of the investigation into the allegations. Further details regarding documents or other materials seized during the searches are awaited.
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin has condemned the searches at locations linked to ex-minister Nehru, alleging that the action was politically motivated.
In a statement, Stalin said the searches were being conducted at a time when a case was pending before the High Court and the Assembly session was underway.
He alleged that the TVK government had undertaken the searches “purely for political reasons” and accused the government of using such actions to divert public attention.
Stalin also stated that people were aware of instances in which MLAs from other parties were allegedly made to resign and subsequently inducted into the ruling party within the Assembly premises, describing it as “horse-trading”. He further claimed that the DVAC had not even registered an FIR on complaints related to such allegations.
Calling the practice a “dark side of Indian democracy”, Stalin accused the government of once again resorting to diversionary tactics.
He said Nehru and the DMK would not be intimidated by what he described as “such threats” from the new government and would challenge them through legal means and emerge victorious.
From our archives:
ED alleges massive bribery in TN MAWS contracts; Minister KN Nehru terms charges ‘slander campaign’
Madras HC quashes CBI case against Tamil Nadu Minister KN Nehru’s brother
(With inputs from Subash Chandra Bose.)
